Sabbath Keeping...an update...

Thanks to prayer and God's positive response, photos are downloaded and instead of my usual Sabbath Keeping post, I'm doing an update this evening. Not a day goes by I'm not thanking and praising God for this move to Nottoway County! God cannot forget His own for in Isaiah it says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hand." Notice He didn't say your name but YOU. In another part of Isaiah it says, "Do not fear. I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are Mine." I don't know about you but that makes me scream for joy! Once, Dave asked me, "Do you think God micromanages your life?" I said, "Absolutely." Dave replied, "I don't think God micromanages my life. God gave me a brain and He expects me to use it." I smiled and said, "You're right, Dave. God doesn't micromanage your life because you haven't asked for His help. Just as I'm right because I do ask for His help and He does give it. God doesn't force Himself, He waits for us to ask."

Another time we were talking about prayer and Dave asked if God hear his prayers. I looked sadly at him and said, "No, I'm sorry to say He doesn't hear your prayer because He cannot hear the prayers of the unsaved. The only prayer God hears from an unsaved person is when that person asks forgiveness of sins and for Jesus to live in his or her heart. But once that prayer is prayed, God will always hear your prayer, no matter how short, how long, how awkward...God hears and He always responds. Maybe not immediately and a lot of times not how we'd like. A lot of times He'll say "No" but He always listens, He always hears. When people who aren't saved (but are "spiritual"...whatever that means...I've asked them but never received a reply) tell me they'll "say a prayer for me", I want to reply, "Better save your breath to cool your soup" but I don't because why hurt their feelings?

We've had SNOW! It's been glorious and a sweet reminder of the way it was at the last farm. The major difference is there's not much wind and chores are so much easier without that nasty wind chill! About four inches of snow were covered with sleet and icy rain which has been rather harsh but hasn't stopped me but perhaps slowed me down a tad.

This morning the water in the horse troughs was frozen solid...I really thought I'd left all that behind! Each paddock has a waterer but I like to give them extra so put in these tubs; the horses would rather have the in place waterer because the water is a lot warmer coming out of the ground. By the time I went back to do evening chores, everything had thawed...last night it was about 24 and today's high was 39.

One of the best farm purchases has been the Hay Hut; it's for round bales of hay and minimizes waste. All the horses are in the same paddock and, thank God, getting along very well; being able to feed them all together makes it easier on me.

Yesterday, Mom, Dad and I went to West End Assembly of God Church to see the 30th Annual Christmas production A FANtastic Christmas. There were all sorts of references to Richmond's Fan District, the time was circa 1960's and Mom did a stellar job of driving in the snow and sleety stuff. I tell you this to not only brag on Mom but to say how wonderful it's been being closer to family so we can do things like this.

No, I'm not unpacked but managed to put my hands on a few decorations (thanks to Beloved Sistah) which please me...God blessed me with almost seventy acres so I doubt I'll run out of greenery any time soon. Pine boughs and holly were cut to stick into the concrete planters and this sweet little lantern with candle welcome folks as they step onto the porch. 

These cute little trees are cut from corrugated tin and decorated with star lights and sit on either side of the sidewalk. Two more concrete planters are stuffed with farm greenery and the red lanterns have lit candles while the electric light is a sweet reminder of the one in Chronicles of Narnia.

Timmy Poore of PJ's Tree and Landscape Service, has done a great job of removing trees around the house, between the house and pond and between the driveway and barn/paddock. While he was in the bucket, he even put in light bulbs on the top of the house. I have some phone videos to load onto Facebook that show him in action along with helpers, Paul and Rick. 

This photo was taken shortly after moving in and before Timmy arrived...the house is blocked from view by one hundred foot tall pine trees and the dam has a few unwanted trees as well. Pine trees have shallow roots and I decided to have them removed before the wind blew them down and possibly into my house. The second photo above shows a clean light of sight from the house deck to the pond and beyond...so much better! 

 

Rick works with Timmy and is owner of Unique Wood Treasures. When I asked Rick if he could put in some clothes line poles for me, using some fence posts I had, he sorta looked at me funny and said, "Sure, no problem." After a while, he pulled up and unloaded these hand made, hand crafted (sorry, they're so beautiful had to say it twice!) beauties of cedar! 

I'm a huge fan of washed clothes hung on a line and it will be sheer pleasure using this clothes line for years to come. Rick...ya done good great and thank you!

Joe Nicholes, Cabins and More, added three bays to my pole shed thus allowing extra under cover storage for farm equipment. Joe and family live in Tazewell and are Mennonites so he doesn't have internet presence; if you're interested in hiring him (highly recommended!), send me an e-mail and I can connect you.

Virginia Blue, out of Roanoke, did a benefit concern and they were fabulous! Yes to blues, also jazz, some zydeco, bit of rock 'n roll...whatever they did, it was fabulous! The concert was held at the Blackstone town square in the center of town...a lovely venue.

I'm learning how to use my Android phone and have photos and video's to upload...when I figure out how but for now I think that's enough of an update. At least, I've been at this for a few hours (so very s.l.o.w. -grin) and I'm ready for a break. So, in closing...God doesn't forget His own. Ever. This I believe with every thing I've got...yes, I remember standing on the last farm's upper pasture, screaming at the sky, "God, have you forgotten you've left me here?!!" but knew full well He had not forgotten me. God has His reasons, His plan for my good and His glory. Always. Life is better and easier to deal with...not easier but easier to deal with...when I remember. 

and my Good News...an early Christmas gift to myself...this morning I joined Blackstone Baptist Church and thank God for leading me to these gracious, kind, Jesus with skin on people!

Ponder this ~ if you're a Christian Believer, God has a plan for your good and His glory. If you're not a Christian Believer, get in touch because I can help you there.

Merry Christmas!

Still Over the Moon HaPpY!

Doesn't everyone need a face on their broom stick?

The house is liveable (although I'm living in somewhat controlled chaos), the barn workable, the view incredible, the shed has a three bay addition, all horses are in the same paddock, the cats haven't yet come to terms with being outside cats...but with a big, beautiful barn to live in plus they are fed on the back deck and in the barn...that's the short version. Now for some details...

Sam says, "They aren't with me so let me in now!" The black and Siamese kittens are from Bones' litter...you remember when I asked Dr. Anne if Bones was too old to be spayed? Dr. Anne exclaimed, "For a 120 years old, she's in great shape!" Of course, Bones isn't 120 years old but she is very old and it took me close to eight months to get her healthy when she showed up at the last farm. She's a gentle, sweet old soul who delights in being loved on but...but...about ten weeks after her clean bill of health, the hussy gave birth to four kittens who had to be helped along with eye droppers of milk because Bones didn't have enough. Oy vey! The kittens were born June 16 and named Inky One, Inky Two, Inky Three and Pixie is the little Siamese. The three black kittens are virtually indistinguishable, thus the shared name and they share Smudge Moonbeam's last name as well. The Southside VA SPCA pays for spaying and neutering and the five appointments are coming up very soon. Not soon enough to suit me but very soon. I've been thinking about re-naming Bones "Sarah"...get it? LOL

Mr. Molly, the fat portly yellow cat front center runs straight through the house to the back deck where he knows food awaits. Thankfully, most all of my animals are led by their stomachs.

I've always had porches but this is the first deck and I'm enjoying both space and view. The north facing deck is spacious and plans include a metal roof and finishing with either screening or a sun room.  The house faces the south paddock, has lots of seating and is a lovely place to catch the sun throughout the day. The deck faces the pond, woods and the upper soybean field but the view was

interrupted by lots of extremely tall pine trees. Some of those pines were 100 feet tall and as pines have extremely shallow root systems, I elected to have them safely removed before severe storms brought them down. Timmy Poore of PJ's Tree Service and Landscaping did the job and I am more than satisfied! I have videos of a small plane flying over Timmy's head, trees being cut down, etc. and will go to library and download this coming week so stay tuned. The pilot was over seeding rye on the soybean fields and he had a ball flying over Timmy's head as he was in the bucket at the top of the 100 foot tall pines. We all thought it lots of fun and the pilot even buzzed me while I was in the driveway taking photos.

Hmmmmm. Something is going wrong (me) with the camera and downloading photos so you'll have to return to see photos of new view, pole shed, etc.

Buggy Top has very reasonable prices and built, then delivered this studio shed all in about ten days. After the first of the new year the building will be finished inside...insulation, painted paneling, electricity, propane fireplace, air conditioner and painted floors covered with rugs. At the last farm Dave had the 'ham house' (where we cured ham, bacon, etc.) made into a studio and I vowed I would always have a place where I could spin, quilt, sew, work on crafts, etc. This building sits to the side, between the pond and house with a view of both. In front of the studio are the picnic tables and fire pits which are already in use. It's a lovely place to sit and contemplate the enormous blessings and gifts God has given me, read a book, pray or simply "be". Due to Dave's influence, I'm a great one for thinking; he always said, "You make your money while you think" and that's true. It's also true when I think and pray my plans go better than when I do not and the pen and paper I always have in pocket are ready to be put to use. I used to tell Dave's Mother, "A short pencil is better than a long memory" and that's also true. If it's worth remembering, it's worth writing down and my notebooks are legendary.

Having all the furniture, still, I'll ever need, I forced myself managed had a ball buying a fabulous Donna M. Smith bench for the studio. Like an ejit I helped carry it into the living room but this weekend it's being moved to the garage prior to being placed in the studio. What possessed me to bring it into the house I'll never know because that sucker is made from a bed frame and heavy! It's going to look fabulous in the studio...wait and see.

I'm burning daylight and outside chores are waiting; as are the barn cats and horses. Tonight the family gathers here to celebrate Mom's birthday and Mom and Daddy's 66th wedding anniversary. I cannot begin to describe how happy I am to be close enough to not only celebrate but host the family as we gather. Menu includes birthday cake (thanks Beloved Sistah), baked chicken, roasted sprouts, baked sweet potatoes, cole slaw and sweet tea or water. Oh...and biscuits...can't forget the biscuits because I have just made molasses and home churned butter.

Life isn't good, it's GRRRREEEEAAAATTTTT!

Ponder this ~ when you fall, fall forward ~